Class 103, M56154 + M50399, is approaching St Vincent Street railway bridge, the unit was based at Walsall (Ryecroft) depot (3C, 21F or 2G depending on date). Just behind the train, framed by the signal, a class 101 Metro- Cammell DMU is waiting for it's next turn of duty.
The whole area to the right, was a jumble of back-to-back houses, local shops and small ramshackle factories, it was a typical basically Victorian, inner-city townscape.
The busy road with people walking along the tidy pavement was Nelson Street, it ended at a 'T' junction with King Edwards Street and Summer Hill Street. Against the wall of the railway, hidden behind the train was Barker Street which led from Nelson Street to Garbutt Street.* There are two Ford Cortina Mk1's in the view, the darker of the two Fords is a driving school car, probably BSM. In the middle of the road a BMC FG box van is heading towards us. At this time the street was still gas lit.
On the left of the picture is the still busy Monument Lane Goods Depot which closed 03/06/1968 The next road bridge north, can just be seen, it was Monument Road, Monument Lane station was next to it on the opposite side the bridge. It is now a dual carriageway, Ladywood Middleway, part of Birmingham's Middle Ring Road.
*I have taken the location and street names from my 1933 street atlas.
Please see following picture.
Peter Shoesmith (undated)
Copyright Geoff Dowling & John Whitehouse; all rights reserved
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